This was Raeganâs first sight of Jarrod in such a weakened state with severe wounds.
Beside Jarrodâs bed sat Nicole.
Releasing Mitchelâs hand, Raegan approached Nicole, her voice tinged with worry, and said, âNicole.
.
Raegan halted at Nicoleâs name, refraining from uttering more words unsuitable for the current situation.
Sensing the atmosphere, Jarrod arranged some refreshments for Raegan, suggesting a more casual setting for their talk.
As Nicole exited from the room, Jarrodâs stare followed her departure, intense and mysterious, almost unsettlingly.
Mitchel settled into a chair, his voice laced with concern.
âHow are you holding up?â
Jarrod appeared nonchalant.
âItâs not too bad.
The wound just brushed against my stomach and missed any vital organs.
â
Seeing the noticeable bite marks on Mitchelâs face and recalling Mitchelâs hand-in-hand entrance with Raegan, Jarrod probed, âHave things smoothed over between you two?â
Mitchelâs annoyance was palpable.
âNot quite.
â
Jarrod managed a feeble grin.
âYour issues with Raegan arenât as complex as mine with Nicole.
Itâs mostly about misunderstandings.
Grasp the opportunity.
Raegan isnât too hard to win over.
â
âWin her over?â Mitchelâs brow creased, skeptical of the assertion.
He hadnât made such efforts for other women, uncertain about what ânot hardâ entailed.
Jarrod noted, âYou treated Lauren well, and Raegan was understandin even forgiving.
Doesnât that show Raegan was not hard to win over?â
Mitchel was puzzled.
âI treated Lauren well?â
Mitchel believed that mere material provision wasnât genuinely caring.
To him, money meant very little.
It was with Raegan that heâd exerted real effort, persistently trying to make amends.
Yet, Raegan seemed unappreciative, even diminishing his endeavors!
Adjusting his sore arm, Jarrod commented lightly, âI get it.
To you, material support isnât genuine care.
But women often see it differently.
Her frown is meaningful.
It indicates jealousy, a sign you matter to her.
They seldom admit it openly.
â
Mitchel felt somewhat reassured by these words.
Maybe Raegan wasnât as detached as she seemed.
Whether she felt jealousy was uncertain, but maybe there was some underlying truth in her rebuttals.
Mitchel, gazing at Jarrodâs pallid features, asked, âIf youâre so insightful, why did things with Miss Lawrence go so awry?â
âWeâre not the same.
â Jarrod sighed, his expression bitter.
âThe mistakes Iâve made are beyond repair.
â
Mitchel and the others were unaware of the intricacies of Jarrodâs corporate conflicts with the Lawrence family and the plots intertwined with them.
Jarrod chose to keep these details to himself.
Yet, the news of Wessonâs suicide shocked Jarrodâs close friends.